Steve Earle and The Dukes at House of Blues in Houston, TX

Steve Earle and The Dukes brought their tour in support of the new album “So You Wanna Be An Outlaw” to Houston’s House of Blues.

The husband and wife team of Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore opened the night with The Mastersons.

Steve Earle and The Dukes are Chris Masterson on guitar, Eleanor Whitmore on fiddle, Kelly Looney on upright and bass guitar, Chris Clarke on steel and keys and Brad Pemberton on drums.

The night is a testament that Steve Earle understands “outlaw country” and has brought it back against the tides of the current crop of “pop country” and “country rap” that Nashville seems to produce in volumes. This album is driven by loud, gritty Telecasters with Waylon Jennings’ signature phaser pedal tones all over them. Steve Earle and the Dukes brought that stripped down, deep outlaw country to the House of Blues in Houston, the same venue that Steve’s son took his first steps as a baby.

The highlights of the night are the title song of the album, “So You Wanna Be An Outlaw”, “Firebreak Line”, “Lookin For a Woman”, “Walkin’ in L.A.” and “Fixin’ To Die”, to which the crowd is delighted by the deeply overdriven guitars, steel guitar, fiddle and driving beat which bring a true outlaw feel. The contemplative “Goodbye, Michelangelo”, written for Guy Clarke, demonstrates the beauty of Earle’s songwriting. Hit single, “Copperhead Road”, has the audience standing and cheering. Earle has brought the artistically free influence that Waylon Jennings’ legacy has left for us. It was on full display this night at the House of Blues.

If you get a chance to see Steve Earle and The Dukes on this tour, do yourself a favor and get a ticket. This is truly something special.